Top 10: Most expensive transfers of all time

This summer's transfer market has been eventful summer for football fans around the world.

It started out with Barcelona's early signing of Santos player Neymar. That signing itself made the top ten most expensive of all time.

If that wasn't a sign of what was to come this summer, then the more recent signing of Edinson Cavani by Paris Saint-Germain for €64 million certainly is.

These signings join the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo in becoming some of the most expensive signings in the history of football.

Some of these signings have been successful, but others less memorable. One or two may even have been highly controversial!

Here are the top ten most expensive signings in history.

10. Hulk (FC Porto to Zenit St. Petersburg) - €55 million

The FC Porto man moved from Portugal to Russia in the summer of 2012. Despite the heavy price tag, the Brazilian has struggled to hold down a place in the Russian side's starting eleven.

He's even said to have a disconnect with the Russian fans and media due to the language barrier.

Recently, rumours have arisen that Chelsea are interested in signing the Brazilian striker after their bid for Edinson Cavani fell through. Zenit are in no hurry to make quick cash, though, and the London club would be expected to pay above a substantial fee for the striker.

9. Neymar (Santos to FC Barcelona) - €57 million

Brazilian youngster Neymar has impressed football fans and critics alike this past season. His playing style showcases the traditional Brazilian flair people are used to seeing, and it was obviously not long before a big-name club came along for him.

The Spanish powerhouses Real Madrid and FC Barcelona went head-to-head in a bidding war for the youngster.

Though Real Madrid were said to have offered more, Neymar chose Barcelona, where he felt his style of play would fit in well.

It'll be an exciting season for the youngster as well as for football fans who are eager to see if he can impress in Europe just as he did back home.

8. Fernando Torres (Liverpool to Chelsea) - €58.5 million

Fernando Torres is a Spanish household name. His impressive performance at the Euro 2008 and at Liverpool made him one of the most coveted strikers in Europe.

When Chelsea came calling, it was an unbelievable chance for the striker and as well for Liverpool, who needed the money.

However, the Spaniard has barely been his old self since joining Chelsea. His first season there was practically spent on the bench due to first-choice striker Didier Drogba being in amazing form.

Still, Torres promises that his time at Chelsea is not over and that he will improve.

7. Luis Figo (Barcelona to Real Madrid) - €60 million

Figo became one of Spanish football's most prominent villains when he made the switch from Barcelona to Real Madrid in the summer of 2000.

The player received a less than appreciative welcome from the Barcelona fans upon his return to Camp Nou for an El Clasico.

The player was tormented while taking corners, with fans throwing coins, plastic bottles, and even a pig's head at the player.

6. Radamel Falcao (Atletico Madrid to AS Monaco) - €60 million

Despite being chased by the Premier League's biggest clubs, Radamel Falcao chose to make a move to AS Monaco. Atletico Madrid are one of the many Spanish clubs in need of the money from big transfers and Falcao's move to Monaco has given them the financial standing they needed.

5. Edinson Cavani (Napoli to Paris Saint-Germain) - €64 million

Cavani chose a big-money move to French club PSG over Chelsea. He was drawn to the project that PSG have put in place - to try and make them the biggest club in Europe.

The Uruguay striker will wear the number nine shirt there and hopes to flourish as he did at Napoli.

4. Kaka (AC Milan to Real Madrid) - €65 million

Trumping Edinson Cavani's PSG transfer by just a million euros, Kaka's transfer to Real Madrid is the fourth most expensive in history.

The Brazilian legend made his move in the summer of 2009 and after a few good seasons, this last one has been a little dismal for the Brazilian.

3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Inter Milan to Barcelona) - €69.5 million

Ibrahimovic completed his move to Barcelona in the summer of 2009. He signed a five year deal with the Catalan giants after three years at Inter Milan.

Despite being a success with Barcelona, Ibrahimovic moved to Milan and then to Paris.

2. Zinedine Zidane (Juventus to Real Madrid) - €73.5 million

Enough can't be said about Zidane's success with Real Madrid. The €73.5 million price tag was well worth it for the legend. Despite his controversial exit from football, Zidane remains an idol for players around the world.

He was quick on his feet and had a remarkable eye for goal. Needless to say his name will always be remembered by fans of the game.

1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United to Real Madrid) - €94 million

Cristiano Ronaldo made history in 2009 when he became the most expensive player in history. The Portuguese player signed a six-year contract with Real Madrid and today has a buy-out clause of nearly one billion euros.

Ronaldo was originally handed the number nine jersey, but in 2010 chose to play with the number seven.

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DISCLAIMER

This article has been written by a member of the GiveMeSport Writing Academy and does not represent the views of
GiveMeSport.com or SportsNewMedia. The views and opinions expressed are solely that of the author credited at the top of this article.
GiveMeSport.com and SportsNewMedia do not take any responsibility for the content of its contributors.

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